Her name is Lola…

Lola

Ok, after the passing of Billo my heart was not ready for a new dog.  But, with compelling reasons from the boys and the discover of a black lab and something with a special calm look we rescued this puppy from the Polk County Shelter.  Funny how you drive to Springfield to get a puppy from a place that is about five minutes from the house.

Well, I wish I could say all has gone well.  But, you defiantly know you are loved and someone is glad to see you when you get home at our house.  It is be loved by Lola or suffer the pouch from your actions.

So when you come to our house be ready to loved by Lola…

Brillo

In time I will look for a picture of Brillo.  I am just now ready to begin writing and talking about the passing of our long time family pet.  It is amazing to me just how much joy a good pet can bring to the family.

Brillo’s ten plus years are part of they family bring many smiles.  From play soccer with Jake and just running in the sun with Luke to laying on the deck in the snow.  Why he never liked the expensive dog house we bought, but love to lay under the kitchen table is a mystry to me.

In time we will have another family dog, but he will hold fond memories.

Birthdays and Thanksgiving…

I like to ponder things.  I am always thinking about something, always trying to solve something or to improve something.  Generaly, the target of my thoughts would be my life and actions.  This past week was my birthday.  My son sang a few lines from “Old Man River”.  I was only mildly amused.  

My birthday is a good point to have my own personal state of the union.  First, I check to see if all of my body parts are intact and still functioning.  This year most of the parts are still working well.  My right side is doing a bit better this year than the left.  I really do need to have that shoulder looked.

Next I like to check to see if all my mental bits are still in order and working.  Do I still like to learn new things?  Check.  Do I still remember and apply a good bit of what I have learned? Check.  Do I still find wonder in God’s creation and does it amaze me?  Check.  Did something I read or studied in God’s word change me in someway? Check.

After my mental check list I move on to making sure I have not lost any valuable relationships.  Wife.  Check.  Have I mentioned that she is very lovely and makes a great best friend.  Sons.  Check  I have mentioned how proud I am of them and all they have managed to learn and accomplish.  Parents.  Check.  Check and check.  I am reminded that I should check on my Mom and Jeanne’s parents more often.  My birthday reminds me that time with them is a gift to be treasured.  Grandma Purkey….  A grand Christian saint.  One more reason to look forward to heaven.  She give a great welcome hug.

Purpose, I belive you should check your purpose for living as well.   To bring glory and honor to God.  Ok, I want to do more here next year.  My birthday reminds me that life is a wonder daily gift from God and He has a plan and a purpose and it somehow involves me.  I understand the role of being a bench player given the opportunity to be in the game.  It is great when the coach is your Father.  I think you dig a little deeper just to get the “nod”.

Oh, gifts.  Yes, check.  Coffee from Italy.  You, just dont get that at Woods Super Maket in Bolivar you know.  Why someone would lug a can of coffee all the way from Italy is the real gift.   Mario Cart for the Wii and a hundred races with the boys.  The real gift if the invitation from my sons to come and play.  I savor those races.  I relish it when I win.   Expresso machine from my wife.  I think she just wants a cup of my coffee.  I think I can trade coffee of kisses.  Oh, wait she just gives those to me.  Got to love the married moments.

Yeah, I have a birthday that every now and then falls on Thanksgiving day.  But, hey why wait I will be thankful early.  Oh, did I mention that we had my Mom and Peppie (her dog) over for Thanksgiving and we had lasguna and apple pie just like the pilgrams.  Well that is my story.  Got to love it when a plan comes together.

The Scoreboard Goes Dark

Friday, November 7, I had the opportunity to make the trip to Shawnee, OK and watch OBU Men’s Soccer play JBU in the conference tournament.  While the outcome of the game was not at all what I had hoped for, it was still a milestone game personally.  It was way more than just a win or a loss.  More than a step closer or farther to the national stage.

It was the beginning of a new chapter in Jake’s life and mine.  Jake has been play soccer since kindergarten and I have been coaching, learning and watching ever sense.  I watch way more these days than coach, and I am sure that is a good thing.  But with this game the scoreboard is dark and the opportunity to play for school has come to an end.

It has been fun journey and we have the family stories to prove it.  I have a a few pictures and years of memories.  It is hard to believe that my kindergarten is now a young man.  Time has brought many changes and reversal of roles.  I can no longer be the first in a race down the field and my skill have long been eclipsed.  One day there will be new a family coach and I will take my place in the stands.

I think I will wear a straw hat when I sit in the stands and be proud of both coach and player.  That is what Ed Stehr would have done.  I think it is a lesson that I appreciate more and more everyday.

While the road to this point has not always been smooth or gone the way we hoped in the game.  I have enjoyed the watching and learning to love the game.  Somehow I think I have grown.  My son is so much more than a soccer player.  He is a great young man, with the heart of a champion.

Cheers to the best of fan’s Ed Stehr, you would have been proud on November 7 with one very classy grandson.

The Lake is Full

I went for a ride on Tuesday evening.  It was a nice little ride.  The temperature was just right to wear the jacket and hold down the bugs.  I took a spin down Hwy 32 toward Stockton, MO.  I went down to Masters Landing to see what was new.  What was new was how much the water was up.  This is a picture of the road to the fishing dock by the swiming area.  As you can see the parking lot is under water, alot of water.

I found it a beautiful sight.  There was very few boats out and the cove was dead calm.  It was easy to hear God and do some thinking in such a lovely spot.  I guess the lake is full and since I just came back from El Salvador, I am too.

Bison and Bearcat

I guess I should put up some fancy graphic. I guess that would make it more visually interesting. I will go on a search for an OBU logo and and SBU logo. Today is more about being a proud parent than logos.

Jake, junior history major and soccer player, is doing well at OBU both academically and athletically. Luke did his college visit to SBU today and will be a Bearcat in the fall of 2008.

I think what I am most proud of is the decision making process that has lead both Jake and Luke to follow God directives for their lives.

College Bookshelves

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Originally uploaded by lstehr

The “big box” that the motorcycle was shipped in has been converted to a couple of knockdown bookshelves for college. While the bookshelves look recycled from a shipping crate, they provided a day of great fun. I am sure they will prove themselves useful for holding some amount of books and things in Jake’s college apartment and Luke’s future dorm room, the great benefit was the father/son time.

You see, between the noise of hammering and sawing shared bits of life and wisdom. We worked together to make decision and design changes. Maybe that is the really value of the bookshelves. Decisions where made and wisdom was passed. In that process I am sure that a deeper respect for each others talents and gifts where gained. That is a great value. A great value to me anyway.

You have to love a father/son project and time to love and share.